In a thrilling second-leg qualifier in Lomé, Togo, Nigeria’s Flamingos defeated Benin Republic 5-3 to seal an 8-5 aggregate victory, securing their spot in the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Flamingos qualified for the competition, which will take place in Morocco later this year, thanks to the outcome.
Nigeria had a narrow 3-2 lead from the first leg in Ikenne, where they had to overcome an early setback before winning.
Romaine Gandonou’s goal for Benin silenced the home crowd, but Queen Joseph’s header equalized the score. After halftime, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi put the Flamingos ahead before Nazifatou Dangui tied the score at two. Later on, Kindness Ifeanyi scored the game-winning goal to give Nigeria a significant lead in the first leg.
Both teams produced an enjoyable game in the rematch, which followed a same dramatic pattern.
After just six minutes, Nigeria’s Mary Akpan Dunstan scored, and eight minutes later, Esther Enne Stephen doubled the lead.
Once more, Joseph was the main attraction. With goals in the 20th, 54th, and 75th minutes, the attacker accomplished an incredible hat-trick to put Benin out of the match.
Hermionne Lokossou scored for Benin in the 56th minute, while Gandonou continued to cause problems for the Nigerian defense with two goals in the ninth and sixty-fourth minutes. The Flamingos maintained control and easily won the game in spite of the enthusiastic reaction.
Nigeria advances to the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Morocco from October 17 to November 7.
The Flamingos will be one of five African teams competing in the expanded 24-team competition, including with hosts Morocco.
